LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 






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0mati'H i^art. 



BY 



Maggie Hunter. 

H 



THIS VOLUME IS ESPECIALLY DEDICATED TO THE YOUNG AND TEULY LOVING PEOPLE 
OF THIS COUNTRY BY THE AUTHORESS. 



To the Critics: 




^eoria, Illinois: 

J. W. Franks & Sons, Printers and Binders. 

1886 



^$> 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the Year 1886, 

By MAGGIE HUNTER, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



Introduction of the Poems. 



Love be your motto; love to God at first; 

Because his love created all that is ! 
He gives us knowledge, gives us reason erst, 

Procures for our hearts all daily bliss! 

Then love be spent to all your neighbors free! 

Forgive before you judge ten thousand times. 
Christ never judged, where regret he did see, 

Contrition over all committed crimes. 

Oh love your wife — because her heart is love, 
She gives her blood for you if asked for; 

In earnest struggles oft with you she strove, 

Oft made her heart your wrongs and errors sore! 

Your children! — oh those blossoms sent by God! 

Love, educate to perfect uprightliness; 
Thereon depends the country's future lot, 

Its welfare, or sorrowful distress. 

Your country love! — protect against defeat! 

True harmony alone makes Union firm ! 
Do not allow in anything neglect. 

The well-tried men in office do confirm. 

Thus love your God, your country, and your wife, 
Your children, neighbors, every living thing; 

Then will you reach a happy end of life. 
•Will death not be to soul a burning sting. 

— M. H. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 



A DREAM. 



Not long ago I dreamed a dream, 
On ruins down the moon did beam ; 
Amongst those ruins shaky, old, 
A coffin stood — a corpse lay cold. 

The ^offin was not covered, child, 
A poet, dead, therein slept mild ; 
His face was pale, his breast at rest. 
His eyes were closed, his forehead blest. 

And by the coffin bloomed a bloom, 

A lovely flower full of gloom. 

The cross, the nail marks, and the crown 

Of thorns had pressed that flower down. 
It was on earth that blossom's lot, — 
No, not a very sweet one, Grod ! 



6 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

Child, in that coffin I did lay, 

I know now from the whole display; 

And at the coffin's head the flower 

Were you, with all thy love and power. 

I knew it by thy fairy kiss 

Enwrapping me with holy bliss. 

I knew it by thy tears, thy sighs. 

Thy little hand so soft, so nice. 

I knew it by thy yellow hair. 

And by thine eyes and lips so fair ! 

There what we spoke I cannot tell. 
It was perfection, — all was well. 
Ask thou the wave what meant its noise, 
Ask thou the wind what meant its voice ; 
The bloom about its glorious scent; 
The moon about her silvery land ; 
The sun about his shine of gold. 
His blessing powers manifold. 

They will not answer, — never say 
A single word out of their way. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

Yes, yes, oh yes ! we both were dead ! 
In Bimini we just had met ; 
United, free, eternal blest. 
Our souls at last were put at rest. 



OFF FOR BIMINI ! 



Glistening birdie, Colibri, 
Conduct me to Bimini. 
Golden fish, thou Brididi, 
Swiftly swim for Bimini. 
Swim ahead, show me the way. 
To that island grand and gay ; 
Where eternal youth is blooming. 
Where sweet Spring is ever roaming, 
Golden lark sings tirili ! 

Oh, my birdie, Colibri, 

Conduct me to Bimini. 



8 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

On that island, Bimini, 
Runs a streamlet, springs a well ; 
Whosoever drinks its water. 
Sick and old, starts young and well. 
Take a flower, faded and withered, 
Wet it with some of this water ; 
More than ever it had glittered 
Will it shine^ will scent far better. 

On that island, Bimini, 
Young for ever I will be ; 
Kiss-like birdie, Colibri, 
Blooms in joyous^ humming glee. 
On that island, Bimini, 
Where the larks sings tirili, 
Will, eternal, I be free, — 
Blessed for all time to come. 

Care and ache and pain and sorrow, 
Sadness, slandrousness, and gloom, 

To that island do not follow. 
Colibri, for Bimini, 
Little fish, good Brididi, 
Bring me there, where long is she. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 



IS THIS JUSTICE ? 



Two golden stars on heaven, 

I see not far apart — 
In brilliancy shining 

Into each other's heart. 

In love they are united, 
Are pure and true as steel ; 

And even never meeting, . 
They joyous, happy feel. 

They see each other's glowing, 
Each other's beaming eye ; 

They see each other smiling, 
High in the glorious sky. 

Far better, yes, far sweeter. 
Than ours is their lot ; 

We can not even see us. 
Is justice this, great Grod ? 



10 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 



THE MASHER. 

A liawk is setting on a tree, 

It's beak is sharp, it's nose is keen. 

It's eye is everywhere to see 

A harmless bird, to catch to slain: 

So is the " Masher " everywhere, 

To mash the evil and the fair. 

It is a beastly raving bird. 

Not hungry does it catch and kill. — 

It would not do with it to flirt. 

Sharp curved are its claws and bill. 

It sucks the blood and leaves the rest: — 

The "Masher" takes the cream — the best. 

Oh do not cry, when thou art lost! 

Thou shouldst have known that poisonous plants 

With pretty blooms bring quick death's frost: 

Destruction thus the ''Masher" hands. — 

The hawk, the "Masher," brothers are; 

Of hawk and "Masher" child beware! 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 11 

SENTENCES. 



I. 
What on earth is pleasure ? 

But a moment's fraud. 
There is but one treasure, 

Trust in you !-^be proud. 

II. 
Can not see your devil, 

Can not see your God ! 
Plainly see its rival, 

And of gods — a lot. 

III. 

Once an ass was kicking, ' 
Kicked the world in two ; 

Now an ass is sneaking, 

And the world looks blue. 

IV. 

Once I saw an angel, 

Beautiful and bright ; 

In a tingle-tangle 

Dances now that child. 



12 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

What a sad appearance 

Presents now that child. 

Holy temperance women, 
There is a grateful field. 

V. 

Could we only see us 
As the world sees us, 
Oh, we would then gladly 

From the past depart ; 
Which we lived so sadly, 

Ungrateful and hard. 



A SCHOOL DAME. 



A school dame sits correcting poems, 
All day in her soft rocking-chair ; 

She crosses lines and letters freely, 
The lady, beautiful and fair. 

But, oh, the heart in school dame's bosom, 

Is cold and old and material. 
The school dame sends, therefore, the jewels 

Of thoughts in quantity to hell. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 13 

Thus beauty is not always able 

To be tbe judge of fiery songs ; 
The school dame would, by far, do better 

In future to avoid such wrongs. 



TO MY NATIVE COUNTRY. 

My Emerald, my Ireland, 

I carry thee with me ; 
Wherever I on earth may wend. 

My soul sees beauty, thee ! 
It sees thy stars, thy sun, thy fields, 

Thy flowery meadows green ; 
Thy sacred mountains, rosy hills, 

Thy brookS; thy lovely lanes ! 

My emerald, my jewel stone. 

Encircled by blue seas ; 
Whereon the moon so golden shone. 

Enchanting me with glees. 



14 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

When I was yet a little child, 
How did the ocean's waves, 

Like silver bells, like thunders wild, 
Come in, the tempest's slaves ! 

My emerald, my shining stone, 

I hear thy birds yet sing ; 
When evenings the work was done. 

Thy boys and girls outring. 
I see thy houses full of peace. 

Thy mothers true and brave ! 
I see the bowing willow trees 

Down on thy hero's grave ! 

My emerald, my Ireland ! 

Wherever I uiay die. 
To thee, my home, my soul will wend; 

Before into the sky ! 
It takes a look once more on thee, 

To say a last farewell ; 
Then swings from earthly troubles free 

To God, the living well ! 



Pearls of a Woma-^'s Heart. 15 



ON MY MOTHER'S GRAVE. 



There is my mother's grave, — oh, there she lays, 

That woman, true and noble-hefirted, dead ! 
Oh, there she rests from toils and laboring days. 
From cares and sorrows free and from regret. 
Oh^ ijiother, could'st thou see me yet, 
I would be glad. 

To-day I stand here by thy lonely grave. 

My thoughts go back in time and see thee plain ; 
And all the teachings, happy or grave. 
Thou once did'st give me hear I again. 
Oh, mother, could'st thou see me yet, 
I would be glad. 

I did not follow always thine advice. 

I got my punishment for all my sins ; — 
Errors have made me better, kinder, wise. 
And all my soul far richer on good gains ! 
Oh, mother, could'st thou see me yet, 
I would be glad ! 



16 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 



WORK AND PRAY 



(Or a et Labora!) 

There are roses, there are lillies, 

Beautiful and fresh ; 
Some are paying for their daily 

Bread and victuals, cash. 

But the greatest part is reasoning: 

As God cared for tides, 
For us lovely flowers kindly, 

So he now provides. 

He provides for air and water 

Shining sunny rays; 
But he will not furnish gold rings, 

Silken dress and lace. 

May you sob and sigh convulsive 

For such things all day, 
God will never grant them to you - 

You must work and pray. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 17 

Work will keep you firm and healthy, 

Puts you sound to sleep, 
Makes you rosy cheeks, and wealthy^ 

Warrants joys in a heap. 

Do not boast — we do not need it, 

We have lots of gold! 
Nothing on this earth stands firmly; — 

Change is manifold ! 

If you should once lose your riches 

Through a turn of luck, 
Stand you, — always used to working, — 

Solid like a rock. 

Therefore roses, therefore lilies, 

Beautiful and gay: 
For all events in a life time., 

You must ivork and pray ! 



18 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 



AFTER A LITTLE WHILE. 



0, stars above in heaven's blue, 

Could I ascend to you ! 

And take a look on endless space, 
Into Jehovah's radiant face, — 

An inexhaustive view. 

How would my soul enchant such lot, 

With reverence to God! 

Adore his grandeur with delight. 
His august loftiness on height, — 

Or fly from spot to spot ! 

< 
0, what a sight of brilliancy. 

What rapt of harmony. 

Of gorgeousness in might and light 
Must, without end, so far and wide. 

Those shining objects be! 

We cannot comprehend it yet; 
Our eyes shall unlock death, 

Our soul's departure from this life; 

The grandeur wakens after strife, 
Arises at sunset. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 19 

0, then, you stars above in blue, 
Shall I ascend to you! 

And shall, in light, all over fly, 
And glory, hallelujah cry, 
Enrapt by Grod so true. 



THE DUTCHMAN'S SONG. 



We are going to fight with Siegel ! 

He will bring us luck. 
He has reason, courage, spirit. 

Tactic, bravery, pluck. 

Hell and devils cannot scare him! 

With him we are safe. 
Catch the enemy cocktail drinking, 

Of which he is a slave. 

Siegel is the Dutchman's hero ! 

Like Achilles in Troy, 
Was the pluck of his own people. 

So is he our joy. 



20 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

He sits on his liorse so bravely, 

Stretching out his arm, 
Says: "My boys, now firmly forward,' 

On we fly with charm! 

Take the enemy's position, 

Capture him alive; 
And if some of us are falling, 

'T was in a noble strife. 

• ■ 'T was for our adopted country, 

Why they shed their blood! 
Down the rebel flag despiteful, 
Him, the treacherous brute ! 

Yes, yes, we will fight with Siegel! 

Be the General blest. 
With him we are gaining glory. 

Victories and rest. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 21 

HOW I FOUND MY SPOUSE. 



On high and lofty mountain, 
In golden glowing, stands 

A house — near by a fountain, 
Glistening, its streamlet sends. 

All round this mountain sunny^ 
The grape, rich golden, grows; 

At midnight, moonlight funny 
Around that mountain flows. 

There first I saw her sitting; 

In curls her golden hair. 
Her eyes^ as if half waiting. 

Shone sparkling, brilliant, fair. 

Oh, all her forms enchanting. 
Were rosy, cosy, young; 

And heavenly blessing granting, 
This lovely song she sung: 

"I do not ask for money, 

Nor gold, nor earthly wealth; 
I seek a soul, true, sunny, 
A poet's soul, full health 



22 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

" We 'd sweetly sing together, 
In joy and pain through life. 
Without such lot I'd rather 
Alone my pathway strive." 

Then I approached this singer, 
This angel, holy, grand, 

I kneeled, and kissed her finger, 
Spoke: " Thou art what I want." 

And since, weVe dwelt united, 
Up in the mountain house; 

The happiest hours glided 
By me and by my spouse. 



EASTER MORNma. 

On Easter morn up flew the lark, — 

The clearest, purest air did wave, — 
It swung above the gloomy dark. 

And sang: The Saviour rose from grave! 
And as it sang^ there loudly rang 

A thousand voices through the fields. 
Awake; the old has passed along; 

Awake; delight a new world builds! 



Peabls of a Woman's Heart. 2B 

Awake you rivers in the dales, 

Bestow applause and praise on God; 
Awake you stems, you leaves, you wells, 

Renewing is the sun your lot ! 
You violets through the woods do bloom, 

You blossoms white, you blossoms red, 
You loudly speak to heaven's dome: 

Love is far stronger yet than death. 

Awake, you tardy human hearts. 

Yet sleeping dull your winter sleep. 
In tedious slowness, lust, that hurts. 

That wounds the souls profound and deep. 
God's breath breathes over all the lands. 

Like breath of youth, speak welcome out. 
Like Samson, throw the chains from hands. 

And be like eagles free, and stout! 

Awake, you spirits, which in pain 

On graves dwell, where their dear ones sleep ; 
Your dreary eyes look clear again 

At beauty all around in heap. 
You dubious ones, that walk along 

In dreams the lost and forlorn way; 
Awake, the world again is young — 

Here is a wonder, take it, pray ! 



24 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

You all shall have this bliss so new, 

That came so quickly over you, 
This renovation grand and true, 

Of v^hich the symbol is spring-glow! 
The flow o£ air made green the dry, 

Young is the old so far as near. 
The breath of Grod passed in and by, 

On Easter morning, pure and clear. 



THE PRESENT TIME. 



Makes the times sad, mingled, striving. 

Makes its foul performance pain : 
Turn, oh, soul, into thy inward, 

There collect thyself again. 
Soon an earnest, strong desire. 

Draws the Lord within thy muse; 
Art thou righteous, art thou pious, 

His advices soon amuse. 

If the world then does not mind thee. 

Let it strive just as it may 
In its wild, regardless struggle, 

Thou hast in thyself a way, 
Where thou, happy, canst go on, 
Where the sun will shine, has shone. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 25 



THE POET. 



The one that has not in his songs 
Said more than he has wrote, 
Is, as poet, distant from great; 
May him inspire God. 

A pretty song is like a beautiful dream, 

It draws thee in, it takes thee wholly up; 
It carries thee through space and lonely time, 

Thou hreath'st, thou drink'st pure air on mountain top^; 
And, as if thou hadst slept in quiet rest. 

From reading it awak'st newly refreshed! 

Cares resemble much the nettles, 

Burning, if thou softly dealest; 
Firmly grasp into them, strongly. 

And their stings thou hardly feelest. 



26 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 



HOME-SICKNESS. 



Oh, love for home; oh, lust for home, 

Unknown and unexhausted wish, 
Thou pious flame, in every breast. 

From Heaven lighted, power rich. 
Thou longing just as strong as death. 

That deeply into the marrow is laid. 
For us the dale where we were born. 

With thousand glowing shades has spread. 
If even in deserts forlorn^ 

Or with eternal snow concealed. 
Oh, no one ever knew thy sting. 

Has thy all mighty strength yet felt, 
Who never missed the lovely sound 

Of mother tongue away from home^ 
Who never was a stranger lost. 

Perceived the bells from foreign dome. 

But who was chased away from home. 
And walks astray from fatherland; 

The traveler on the open sea. 
Who does not even see a strand; 



Peabls of a Woman's Heart. 27 

The pilgrim, whom his bravery- 
Drove into woods high up on mounts, 

Which on his path went far and wide: 
He it is whom thy woe surmounts; 

He it is in whose soul the rose 

Will change into a stinging thorn ; 

He it is whom thy force makes feel, 
A lost one, — outcast, — a forlorn ! 

Thou art it, which in blooming woods. 

Amongst the violets in the May, 
The poor child of the icy north. 

Makes suffering far from home so gay ! 
Thou art it, which with holy flames 

The Polander's subdues so bad! 
And which the son of Judah's stem 

Makes eastward lay his feet in death. 
As if in death he wished to go 

Into his home denied in life. 
Thou also draw'st in sweet moonlight^ 
If from the Alps sounds music bright, 
Helvetia's sons from Strasbourg's wall 
Into grim river's water fall; 



28 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

And from the sounds, the waves so wild, 
He sinks — he dies a homesick child. 

Myself has felt not long ago, 

Thy wonderful, marvelous woe, 
When ocean's white and foamy flood 

Was rolling proudly at my feet. 
Oh, beautiful is the mighty sea, 

And beautiful is all this land. 
Saw roses in their lovely glee, 

Did wealthy cities loudly greet. 
And Heaven was deep blue and bland, 

Balsamic scent my breath did meet, 
Sweet music came from different parts. 

But oh, I was without a joy. 

A sickly, burning pain I felt, 

A chilly breath went through my breast, 
And tears I shed at last, at last. 
I stood upon a rock to hear 

If not an air blew from the east, 
And, thirsty, took it in my heart. 

As if this only could refresh. 
Possible that it was from home. 

From Ireland a greeting flash. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 29 

Alone, alone I wished to be, 

Alone with all my grief and pain; 
I daily sit, my book with me, 
There, yonder, under a lonely tree, 

And read and write about sweet home. 

Oh, love for home; oh, lust for home, 
Thou unknown, unexhausted pain, 

Thou longing just as strong as death, 
From home, alone, experienced yet, 
Thou cam'st to us from heaven's dome! 



" REMEMBER, DEATH IS COMING." 



See, how the tables full are filled, 

How clear the candles burn; 
Who laughs, and roses break well skilled, 
Has at this feast his turn. 

Music is sounding through the hall, 
Fine girls are flirting — 't is a ball, — 
Their dresses are loose and shiny. . 



30 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

Around the golden calf they dance, 

On to their knees they fall ; 
They pray to it with lusty glance: 
Give us the pleasures all. 

The cup runs over with the wine, 
The costliest from river Rhine, — 
I in a corner stand sorry. 

Translucent seems to me the walls. 

From outside nearer draws 
A multitude with hungry squalls; 
All round red fire glows. 

Gigantic through this noise a wife, 
See wild with bloody shirt I strive, 
She wears a warlike scarf. 

And look, the floor turns into glass. 

Below it sits grim Death, 
With eyes deep lying, cold as brass. 
His scythe is glistening red. 

And coffins, coffins stand all round. 
And by the piper^s whirling sound 
They are dancing like a cyclone. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 31 

See, eyes they have but do not see, 

They laugh, indulge along; 
They do not hear in drunken spree. 
How houses tumble strong. 

And louder sounds the fiddle's tone: 
You women and men of Babylon, 
Remember, that Death is coming! 



TO THE POETS. 



You poets, on whose brows once fell 

From Heaven holy dew when born, 
Empowered strongly to see well 

The future, which we fear and scorn. 
Arise, remember you received 

A holy calling from the Lord: 
The people shall not be deceived. 

The noble truth pour forth, pour forth. 

Oh, do not preach disgraceful fights, 
Not war with fire and glistening sword, 

Gruard stoutly all the people's rights, 
On sunny height build up your fort. 



32 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

If every other one gets weak, 

Affected througli tlie rush of tide, 

Then poets alert, free and quick, 
Teach justice, measures cool, polite ! 



AH holy treasures shall you shield, 

Which pious fathers have us left; 
Pure chastity, that noblest child. 

And faith, from calmness ne'er bereft! 
You shall, through all the time of ire, 

Protect with earnest, ardent words, 
With distinct spirit, grand desire. 

All beauty lights the arts all sorts. 

You shall not kneel before the thrones, 

Oh, not where worship ignorant throngs. 
Eternal truth needs sturdy sons. 

Needs sacrifices and bold songs. 
Are gone the storms and rough turmoils. 

Appears the day of peace in glow, 
Shall ignite on your ardent souls 

The people freedom's torches new. 



Pearls of a Woman's He aft. 33 

Therefore with angry brows away, 

Away with lust, displays and lies! 
The one who did his brother slay. 

How can, in judgment, he arise? 
Who on the feast of sins partook. 

How can he spend welfare and gift? 
Pure shall you stand, strong as the oak, 

Because from nobleness you drift. 

And if you feel consumed and weak, 

And tremble in your breast, your heart, 
From Heaven prayers, fervent, meek, 

Draw fiery tongues down on to earth ! 
Out of creation's holy life. 

Out of eternal, serene peace. 
Pours forth a grand and secret strife: 

Renewal; clearness, strength and bliss. 

Go to the sea in evening glow, 

Gro into woods, and strength you gain ! 

On waves yet still the spirits flow. 
In burning bushes Grod is seen. 
3 



34 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

In doing good strong helps, the Lord 
Is near you, and will kindly tell 

The grand and nobly trusting word 
That fits you and the people well. 



MY PRAYER. 



Save in this time of rush, my Grod, 
Where tempests wildly sway. 

In me thy trust, that placid lot, 
That never did betray. 

That trust, which in this sullen night 

Of curse and evil deeds, 
Yet sees a bright and shining light, 

That sweetly, friendly greets. 

Let me believe, where now-a-days 

Bold selfishness dictates, 
Yet there are love and golden lays. 

In some of heart's inmates. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 35 

And where I trembling houses see, 

And smoke arising dense, 
Already glows a glimpse right free 

From outrage and offense. 

That in the nation's dreadful run, 

Where thousands are laid out. 
Already waits the golden sun^ 

Which rises clear and proud. 

Yes, that all devils, blind and mute, 

Are forced to serve thee, Grod, 
Just as we make obey a brute, 

To lift up our lot. 

God, if the earth-ball groans and moans, 

If tempests wildly sway. 
Save me that trust, that heavenly loan, 

That never did betray. 



36 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

SENTENCES. 



Bitterness to pain 

Is a poison, 
That liatli slain 

As the sharpness of a sword. 
May'st recover from a thousand wounds: 
In a poisoned wound are always painful grounds. 

And music is in flood and stone, 

In fire, air, and everything; 
But if thou will'st perceive that tone, 

Then must thou have a poet's wing. 



THE GHOST. 



It happened once in Ireland, 

There in a hotel grand^ 

A ghost was roaming at midnight. 

Not to the landlord's sweet delight. 

Around the house with noise. 

One day there came along three boys, 



Pearls of a Woman^s Heart. 37 

Three ]ol\j fellows gay, 

With spurs on heels, with great display, 

They came along their way, 

The landlord told them all about 

The ghost — what trouble he had had, 
The three young men so smart and stout. 

About it laughed glad. 
Said they were not afraid, 
Would take it up at once that night. 
Would watch the haunted house. 

Around a table soon full joy. 

In one of the haunted rooms 

Th*e three were sitting, a waiter-boy 

Brought candles and white wine. 

They did not sit in weary gloom, 

Disputed to and fro. 

And each one drank, I do not know 

How much, but a good deal. 

And as the clock struck ten times, 

Partook of a hearty meal. 

Now changed the wine from white to red, 

And soon sang beautiful rhymes, 



38 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

And every one, alert and wise, 

Told stories and tales so nice. 

And as the clock did eleven sound^ 

They gaye the red wine, too, the bounce; 

But drinking on were duly bound 

In rounds, and rounds, all rounds. 

They asked for wine that foams, « 

That pearls clear, merry in the cup, 

That wildly hissing roams — 

All know that costly drop — 

And drank a good deal of this too. 

Swift passed the time in wit and glow. 

Until a little lame they talked. 

And also somewhat queer they walked. 

A chilly frost all over them came, 

Their heavy heads slight forward sunk, 

And soon they had lost all their spunk. 

Did hardly know their names. 

Hark! twelve o'clock sounds through the night. 
The door sprang open quick and wide. 
As if a storm had blown it in. 
And there appears, oh, horror! woe! 
The ghost terrible to be seen. 



F EARLS OF A WoMAN's HeART. 39 

Its face and dress ash-colored looked, 
Its seent all round smelt loudly drugged; 
Its eyes were glassy, grey, and big, 
Down from his head back hung a wig. 
His nose was red, and long^ and shone 
As bloody as a ruby stone. 
And nearer now did draw the beast, 
Spoke with a voice right hoarse at least: 
" What for I find you, foolish boys. 
Here at this time with such a noise? 
Can you not quietly sleep at home, 
Or in your empty, silent room, 
Some good and useful book explain. 
Which doing, be to you some gain? 
Now, in the place of acting so. 
You get here full, like swine, with wine. 
Do things which are out of your line, 
Bring deeply sorrow on your brow! 
You wildly here disturb the night! 
How will you feel to-morrow morn? 
Your stomachs will painfully scorn. 
To-morrow you will drink thin beer, 
Eat salty herrings, looking queer." 



40 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

This said, he took the nearest one, 

Quick under table did him throw. 

The next one clutched he by the throat, 

Until he thought his soul was gone. 

The third received a severe blow. 

So that he sang out like a goat. 

That was a fight all on one side, 

A suffering, sighing, and polite. 

Until the clock struck early one. 

The ghost, with stink, then went his way. 

The boys did not feel very well, 
Now sweated cold, soon hot as hell. 
Remained through morning in that room, 
And rested on their chairs in gloom. 
And as the landlord morning came, 

And made his charges high and big. 
Confessed all three, though very tame. 

The ghost had played them a sad trick. 
They said pain laid in every bone 
Right heavy — all their strength was gone. 

The ghost, in Ireland, as you see, 
Was nothing but a drunken spree. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 41 

And from this story the moral : 
Drink not too much! And after all, 
Do never mix the drinks, because 
That always sets the devil loose. 



BEAUTY AND SACRIFICE. 



Thou art so handsome that I 
Dare not look at thee. 
Thou lily white, and without spot. 

So full of glee ! 
Thou queen, without a golden crown! 
From whose forehead grandness and grace do shine. 
Thou art so handsome that I, wholly thine, 
Could kneel before thee into dry dust down. 

Not longer can I such a pain, 

And such a bliss. 
Secretly keep — it is in vain ! 

I am thine. Miss! 
Take what I am; take all my heart, 
And look at it a few minutes in mirth. 
Then throw it from thee careless into dirt. 
Sweet blessedness was long enough its part. 



42 Pearls of a Woman's Heart, 

But know that none of all can beat 

As true as this; 
Wherever round the globe will greet 

The moon to kiss; 
So far as shining morning red 
Flies through the world in glowing speed, 
Is none like this so ready in cold death, 
Its blood for thee, for thee to shed! 



A PORTRAIT. 



A flirt and earnest man and child at once. 

Full joy, and meek, yet strong, then soft, 

Yet wild in heart, again in tears and mild; 

In love, and soon down-hearted and lovesick; 

A traveling bird, that seeks for lonely rest; 

A dancing child, that wishes to be with God: — 

Oh, contradiction's portrait ! when will come the time 

That all these different wishes will unite? 



Peabls of a Woman's Heart. 43 



A PROMISE. 



Go on, my horse, in hurry. 

Trot swiftly round the earth ; 
I am alone and weary, 

Be quick, now, and alert; 
I can not longer stay here, 

This place is far too small! 
In short, would soon get grey here. 

Without her, spring is fall. 

And can we not soon find her. 

Then let us die in quest: 
Without her surely, mind, dear, 

There is for us no rest. ' 
As soon as we have found her. 

My horse, I thee promise, 
That I am truly bound, dear,- 

With rest thee to caress ! 



44 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

HOPE. 



To even winter turbulent, 

And rich on stormy blows; 
Does ice and snow it harshly spend, 

Spring near and nearer draws. 

Are covering dark the golden face 

Of sun, the vapors dense ; 
In spite of all the earthly space 

Will fresh life soon commence. 

You tempests blow, with might may blow 

I'll never be afraid ! 
Spring quickly will you overthrow, 

Approaches mild and glad. 

New mother earth awakens green. 
Knows hardly how it was done ; 

It laughs to Heaven, young, serene. 
Greets joyous to the sun. 

Puts blooming crowns into its hair, 
Made out of roses and leaves ; 

The little rivulets murmur fair, — 
Away are cares and grieves. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 45 

Therefore have patience, let it blow 

My heart, and be content ; 
A holy May-day after snow 

Will every breakage mend. 

And if you deeply are in pain. 

Think hell is loose on earth ; 
With hope to God you will retain 

The thought, spring comes with mirth. 



HAPPY HOUR. 



How deeply tacent feels my heart, 

The passing days it hardly sees ; 
It goes its lonely way onward. 

And with the noisy world agrees. 
Yet in my heart it's warm, its clear. 

There rests my soul in love and peace ; 
There it does its own talking hear. 

And takes from outside what will please. 



46 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

Like newly-born out of flames, < 

So beats my heart freshly to-day ; 
It has forgotten all lost aims, 

But what I loved stays still there gay. 
Oh ! memory has for all the past 

Its secret Heaven opened new ; 
My heart is quiet now at last, 

And in tranquility will flow. 



GOD GIVE US ONE STRONG MAN ! 



Pray up to Heaven who yet can, 
And who cannot, pray to the air ! 

The tempests shall those prayers then 
Blow overland into the spheres. 

The babies that commenced to talk, 

Learn from their mothers those short words ; 

The old men who on canes do walk; 
Pray loudly so to heavenly ports. 

" God give us one. Oh, one strong man!" 
What good does all the poet's play? 

The paper-writer's knowledge plain, 
May even far their pencils sway ! 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 47 

A man we need, a strong, stout man! 

That he may in this time so wild, 
Bring order in this world again, — 

The rights of people he may shield. 



MY GRAVE. 



Deep in wood's loneliness a grave, 
Far from all human heings — very far. 

There put the poet soon to rest, the slave 
Of pain and sorrow, while the evening star 

Is shining through the blooming trees so grave. 

Then go, and let my grave alone ! 

Well covered and forgotten be the place ; 
Ivy and moss will shelter it kindly soon, — 

The wounded deer in silence over it graze, 
The sun shall only see it at high noon. 

And if she dies then put her near. 

Oh, very near, to rest right at my side. 

For as she was in life to me so dear. 
So shall she be in death also my bride ; 

Not happy could I be, wherever, without her. 



48 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 



PAINFULLY. 



May it be painfully to part, — 

True love has always strength, has light ; 
May trembling hand from hand depart, 
True love will follow far and wide. 
No distance ever shatters love, 
Love's memory is a vigorous grove. 

No water is so without end, 

No pathway is so high, so small, 
That not love's longing over it went. 
Uniting two souls after all. 

No distance ever shatters love. 
Love's memory is a bloomy grove. 

I greet thee over dales and mound, 

In golden clouds, in tempests wild ; 
I daily, hourly, all year round. 
Be with thee, rosy, cozy child! 
No distance ever severs love, 
Love's memory is a bloomy grove. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 49 

Also the clouds and tempests bring 

Thy love to me and thy desire ; 
They sweetly to my heart do sing, 
That everlasting is love's fire. 
No distance ever severs love, 
Love's memory is a bloomy grove. 

Wherever I may go or sta}^. 

Thine invisible prayers I feel ; 
I see thy eye's illustrious ray, 

Thine angel face so plain, so still. 
No distance ever severs love. 
Love's memory is a vigorous grove. 

Therefore I feel delighted yet^ 

However so far I be from thee. 
Each step, — if God has so it set, — 
Will bring to thee fast nearer me. 
No distance ever shatters love, 
Love's memory is a bloomy grove ! 



50 Pearls of a V/omax's Heart. 



THE MAIDEN'S SONG. 



Friends, lonely let me dream and sleep, 
My lot a secret keep ! 

To me is time not yet a loss. 
Frost once will bite the roses. 
Before sweet May-month closes. 

Till then I will repose. 

Oh, once in spring time comes the day. 
When falls on every plant a ray 

Of golden sunshine gay! 
So once, my friends, comes glowingly, 
Comes with May-time smooth, flowingly, 

For me a gleeful day ! 

Until those days arrive. 
Is only half my life, 

And cold as winter's blow. 
Through trees are showers falling, 
Therefore till love is calling. 

On me sweet dreams bestow ! 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart, 51 



AT THE MOUNTAIN SEA. 



Right near the sea, where tree tops rise 
To heaven, tossing lofty, high ; 

Again 1 sat where once we sat 
So happy in the sweet passed-by. 

I heard again thy tender voice. 

All long-said words perceived my ear ; 

I heard thee, child, as long ago, 
When I was sitting by thee near. 

I dreamed I walked again with thee, 
Beloved darling, arm in arm ; 

I dreamed I sat there at thy feet, 
As I sat once, not knowing harm. 

I saw thine eye, thy radiant eye, 
Yet smiling midly, yet in tears ; 

Just as it was when it did tell 
Thy love to me, still half in fears. 

I saw thee as thy hands I blest, 
Thy lips to songs I sanctified ; 

Thy fingers I with flowers crowned. 
In thy deep heart my songs did glide. 



52 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

Oh, time of love, sweet time of lays. 

Oh, time of long-passed happiness ! 
To-day, again, fresh through my breast. 

Flows new in streams old blessedness ! 

And thou, which I solemnly call, 

Deep in my bosom always mine; 
Did'st greet me lovingly and good, 

Through leaves, through clouds, through evening 
shine ! 

Above, blue nightly heaven laid: 

The moon arose, shone on the sea-; 
It seemed thy crystal eye did look 

From out that sea sad on to me. 

The wind then blew through the wet leaves. 

And dew fell over me like tears; 
Oh, sorrowful it came to me. 

As over me thou did'st shed tears! 

Oh, I was lost ! — my heart did beat 

In desperation, passion wild; 
Hot drops sprung dropping from mine eyes, 

As did that time when died my child ! 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 53 



HOLD STILL. 



If a friend harsli on tlij path, 

Cold in deeds and words thee hurt, 

Then think kindlj of Grod's grace, 
Which greets daily thee on earth. 

Hold in patience still thy soul ! 

Get not angry, think of Christ, 
Who not only once forgave 

All thy sins, besides thee blest. 

Swift, be ready to pardon 
Every day without a doubt; 

As he was, through all the time. 
Prompt to help of sins you out. 

Praise thy God, that he in songs 
Sweet a remedy thee gave. 

That will mildly, lovely keep 
Thee from being passion's slave. 



54 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 



THE TEMPLAR. 



Hark ! througli the Order's house, as day declines, 
Is passing sad and serious the news, — 
" Odo, the Templars' noble master, died !" 

And every one, whose ear perceived the news. 
Was sad^ and asked in melancholy manner, — 
" Can it possibly be for him to pass so quick? " 

" Can it be thus ? " The man is gone that shortly 
Had mastered yet his wild and fiery steed ; 
Had with his robust fists a panther slain ! 

Who, in the thunder of so many battles, — 
All over covered with the blood of hostiles, — 
Outrung love songs in clear and distinct tunes. 

This man, now gone, shall never in the nights 
Play dice with us and drink the golden wine. 
The only one that sober kept of all ! 

And never shall his arm again embrace 

A heathen child of dark, voluptuous eyes. 

Whose lips are burning from sensational pleasures. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 55 

Thus, also, sliall we never see again 

Him pass in moonlight round the gloomy walls, 

As he did pass, and spoke to winds and stars ! 

Oh, many a secret he did then perceive. 
And, singular, stood it with his soul's believe ! 
And never spoke a word his tongue about. 

Those words were heard, — and all the Templars marched 

To Odo's cell, to take a final view 

At their Grand Master's corpse, the Order's pillar ! 

They entered all. In gloominess he laid. 
Pale on his couch of straw, in fever heat ; 
Out of his eyes shone sickness and distress. 

His haads, as after life^ yet stretching. 
Stirred erring round; his lips, in spasms. 
Were not permitted to eject a cry. 

The chaplain came, in his important air, 
With candles, cross, and voice of holy songs : 
The sick one shall receive his last solace. 

The red-crossed brethren sank on their knees 

In reverence before the sacrament. 

But he is stretching high his bony arms. 



56 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

His voice rolls like a lowly thundering sound, 
Like bells by tempests bursted, Harsh and shrill ; — 
" Away ! I am not childish fears vassal ! " 

Away with forms, which nothing are to me ; — 
I wish no consolation. What I was in need, 
I always did procure it for myself ! 

The battles' gains, the victories of love, 
The truth itself, which oft I naked saw ; 
Now comes my last antagonist^ — I slay him ! 

What ! stand you petrified as if in fear ? 
Life columns, like the salty wife of Lot ! 
I aim to think that clear were my expressions. 

If ever any one did strike Old Death, 

And made him crawl, dog-like, down on his feet, 

I did him like. My will in me is God. 

And now to you these words T want to say : — 
By my strong will and by my stronger powers. 
Three days from now I will arise again ! 

" I will, I will !" In murmuring, with horror. 

His last words sounded ; his eyes turned round in circles ; 

He fell back on his bed, — was dead, was dead ! 



Peaels of a Woman's Heabt. 57 

The Templars stood in silence and in fear ; 

The priest, in spite, perfumed with smoke the cell, 

And sang in lowly tunes his requiem. 

At midnight time, when stars were lovely shining. 
Were all the brethren in the burial train, 
And carried him with torchlights to the dome. 

The open vault took in the blacked coffin. 
On it they laid his standard sword and coat, 
Ind harshly sounding fell the covering stone. 

A prayer, short, and on departed pathways. 
Disturbed in mind, goes each one to his cell, 
And waits anxiously, dreaming for the morn. 

The day arises : quietly, from beginning 
Until the end, goes hour by hour ; 
The second comes, third one passes by. 

But, at the third midnight, to holy mass, 
Into the choir, the brethren called together ; 
A trembling noise comes from below the ground. 

Behold ! the newest grave is thrown open ; 
Out of the coffin issues, ghastly, slowly, 
A hideous, awful, horrid, decayed image. 



58 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

Its eyes shine glassy, turning twisted inward, 
Well marked signs its face shows of decay ; 
Thus does it try to climb out of the vault. 

Its lips are jerking, — aim, but cannot speak ; 
Its bony, meagre hands are griping round ; 
Arisen spreads it out its barren arms. 

Horribly, all at once, out of the vault's wet walls, 
Shoots, hissing forth, a herd of gleaming snakes. 
And curls in rings round the rising dead. 

They twist their bodies, cold and wet, in coils 
Around the rising, — wholly covering him ; 
Are tearing him right back into his coffin. 

And as the brethren, with their hairs erected. 
Approached with torchlights, what they saw to prove^ 
Could only snakes in dust their eyes see curled. 

They all were horrified ; — the chaplain only 
Did not forget himself, spoke with brave mind : 
" Behold you, brethren, all this God has done !" 

" The Lord was taking justice on this soul. 
That undertook to do, with its own will. 
The Savior's work ; — therefore such torture." 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 59 

" Tliat will is only strong that God does give ; 
Therefore, thus pray : ' Lord, in the name of Jesus, 
From death's embrace deliver us, poor sinners.' " 

The Templars crossed their faces, crying : — 

''AMEN !'' 



THE HUNTER. 

The feathers of the eagle 

I carry on my hat ; 
I reach up to its mountain nest, 

And lay him swiftly flat. 

Sensation or pain 

My heart did never know ! 
My bullet hits in highest air. 

But higher flies my love ! 

If once I call a maiden mine. 

Is it for ever mine ? 
The one that aims to take it off. 

Stands straight within my line ! 



60 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

■ 

HUNTER'S LOVE. 



The wind blows through the shadj woods, 
The tops of trees well bending ; 

Swift over grounds, swift over woods, 
To her mj thoughts I'm sending. 

It floats them to a castle far, 

Where soft music is sounding, — 

By brilliant lights, wines golden, rare. 
In luxury abounding. 

There holds her wedding feast, a bride. 
Dressed richly in white roses ; 

They drink her health to make her bright, 
But half way she opposes. 

She dances, is not keeping tact, 

As if not comprehending ; 
She sadly smiles, is not exact. 

As if reflection spending. 

I know not if my thoughts her ear 
Did touch when I was sino:in2: : 

Which in the woods, so far from her, 
The hunter was outringing. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 61 

Can you perceive, most lovely maid, 

The hunter's sounding horn ? 
It prays to you to take a ride^ 

On horseback, in the morn. 

Be welcome in my arms, my bride, 

How happy I you greet ; 
You are so beautiful and bright, 

Your kisses are so sweet ! 

And dark and cold is winter's night. 

Drive on the horse to go ; 
We have to hurry, pretty bride. 

Through storm and wind and snow. 

No door is shut so firmly child. 

That truelove could not break ; 
Your father angry now, or mild, 

May follow our track ! 



62 Peaels of a Woman's Heart. 

THE SUNFLOWER. 



In beauty do you, roses, 
Exhale your ricli perfume ; 

Sunflower am I only, 

Not brilliant is my doom. 

The butterflies' sweet kisses. 
The songs in woods, on trees; 

Loud praise of mankind, roses. 
May take you, as you please 

My greatest pleasure, roses, 
Is dew from morning sun; 

To look into his features. 
At night, at morn, at noon. 

To vigorous sun I'm lifting 
My face in lust, all tide ; 

I drink from his curls golden. 
My strength in sweet delight. 

My eyes cling to his graces, 
When, even with his love, 

The sun, in fiery greeting. 
Stings deadly from above. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 63 

Tell me, how could be sweeter, 

On earth a being's lot, 
As thus to die in viewing 

The face of sunny god ! 

Therefore, may bloom you roses, 

In glory, proud and bright; 
Sunflower I am only. 

But all my life is light ! 



MAGGIE'S SONGS. 



I. 
Only two short days have passed 
. Since I gave him my first kiss; 
Oh, since that bad hour elapsed, 
All things round me exhale bliss! 

My apartment, where I live in. 
Where I was so childish glad; 

Is all broken down and mixed up! 
At myself I am truly mad. 



64 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

All my roses, — other flowers, 
Look so dry, so sad at me; 

I believe with wine I moistened. 
Instead with water, them too free. 

My white dove^ so well behaving. 
Has no food and has no bread ; 

And my noble finch of thistles 
Is, from hunger, nearly dead. 

Blue and red yarn was I weaving. 
Into my commenced white quilt; 

Dusting off my new piano, 
I forgot, so finely built. 

And where are my books, my poets, — 
Tailor, Holland, Longfellow ? — 

I believe, if right collecting. 
In the kitchen, down below. 

And the kitchen's plates are resting 
Where my thinkers' books should be. 

Oh, on all those grossly mistakes, 
Love is culprit, — love, full glee ! 



Peaels of a Woman's Heart. 65 

II. 

He went out into the world, 

And did not say good-by! 
Sings through woods and sings through fields. 
Oh, my sun is gone, and yields 

No more light from sky! 

Hardly I looked in his eyes, — 

Yet my dreams are gone ! 
Why unit'st thou. Love, two hearts, 
When they must to different parts. 

Go so quick, — so soon? 

Where is he to-day? The world, 

Oh, the world is great! 
Is full of danger, full of risk. 
And its storms are prompt and brisk. 

Heaven guide his fate ! 



66 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 



RESOLUTION ! 



Sweep from thy brows the pearling sweat ; 

Be proud! — do not complain! 
What thou hast suffered suffers yet 

So many a one in vain. 

Of secrets, many are unveiled 

In this wide world to-day ! 
And is thy mortal dust dissolved, 

Comes other people gay. 

Let in thy brows the wrinkles grow, 

They are a beautiful crown! 
They are the scars which sharply cut 

Thy thoughts thereon, deep down. 

And do the laurel leaves not wind 

Around thy high forehead. 
In spite be proud, thou stood'st thy ground, 

Has't fought thy battles straight. 



Peabls of a Woman's Heart. 67 



CHANGE. 



I left a country sweet and nice, 

Went homeless through much land, 

Again I found, with little chase, 
A place, as God could send. 

But as I thought, in quietness, 
Hast thou now peace and rest. 

There rose a thunder-shower rough 
And drove me from my nest. 

In every garden, every year, 
There grow some different plants; 

And life, if not full earnestness. 
Would be a foolish dance. 



THE STORK. 



What rattles from the tower 
To greet so loudly. Hark! 

If I am not mistaken, 
It is my friend, the Stork! 



68 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

He is himself preparing 

To travel over sea; 
The fall is drawing nearer, 

Therefore he bids "adieu!" 

It's well that thou departest, 
Cold storms come in short while; 

Greet from me my " Italian," 
And also Father Nile. 

I wish in southern countries 
To thee a better a meal. 

Than Irish frogs and loneness, 
And toads, and rare an eel. 

God save thee, old companion ! 

My blessings go with thee; 
Thou did'st, in nights still quiet. 

Oft hear some songs from me! 

And if not, through an event 
Thou slept too deep some night 

Did'st also likely see you 
How I did kiss my bride. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 69 

But don't you tell all over, 

Keep tliat with you, dear friend ! 
What cares black " Africanien " 

Of love in Ireland ? 



DEPARTURE. 



In life, not very well is instituted, 

That on the rose-bush also thorns do grow; 

And what one's heart may care and love and tremble. 

The end is coming, saying, " Thou must go!" 

Oh, in thine eyes I once did happy read; 

Oh, they were shining, full of love and luck. 

Oh, save thee, Grod! It would have been so nice! 

Oh, save thee, God! And blessed be thou thrice! 

Pain, envy, hate, — oh, I did feel you bitter! 
I am a tempest-battered, tired, traveling man! 
I dreamed of peace, and in a lucky hour 
Brought me my way at once, dear child, to thee; 



70 Pearls of a Woman's Heart, 

And in thine arms I thought I would find peace, — 
Therefore was ready I to give thee all. 

Oh, save thee, God! It would have been so nice! 

Oh, save thee, God! And blessed be thou thrice! 

The clouds are flying and the leaves are falling, 
A rainy shower draws through woods and fields; 
To say good-by! this is the most apt weather. 
Gray as rough heaven looks to me the earth; 
But may it turn to luck for me or evil, 
Thou, little darling, always art thou mine. 

Oh, save thee, God! It would have been so nice! 

Oh, save thee^ God ! And be you blessed thrice ! 



DISTINCTION. 



The larks and noisy ravens. 
Are birds of different sorts; 

I am in joy and gladness. 
That I can dream in words. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heaet. 71 

The world is not of leather, 

In pineries grows no straw; 
As poet, free and liberal, 

I sing, even halloh ! 

That rings and sounds, is spreading, 

A merry, gleeful tone; 
The one that does not like it, 

Go in a cloister soon! 

And is it ink once raining. 

And snows it there on sand? 
Then may you call me sinfut. 

And I will quit dream land! 



THE CAT. 



From the tower^s highest pointy 
Look on earth I round; 

And review how mankind fights 
On each other's ground. 



72 . Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

Oh, a cat's eye sharply sees, 
Souls of cats do smile; 

Watching how Pygmys on earth 
Try to cheat so vile! 

But I can not teach those brutes, 
Never learns the mass; 

Have no feelings for the bulk, 
Let the devils pass! 

Human doings are oft wrong. 
Causing much distress; 

In my dignity I sit, 
Commit sin much less. 



THE CAT. 



On the end of its life-days 

Stands the cat in deep regret; 

And it meditates how quick, 

All its time is soon complete. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 73 

Wishes it could teach some lores, 

Out of long experience; 
To their future happiness, 

Prudently to young cat friends. 

Oh, the path of life is rough ! 

Thereon lay so many stones: 
Over which the old cats fell, 

And have broken badly bones. 

Oh, sweet life shields many a hate. 

And cuts many painful wounds; 
Often bravely fought a cat. 

Went in death for no good grounds. 

But what for are all my lores? 

Laughing, I perceive, young cats; 
They are, like we were, great fools. 

Only grief makes wise those lads. 

Fruitless always has it been. 

To admonish young ones well; 
They will stroll on their own way, — 

Sadly, — many go to hell! 



74 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 



THE CAT. 



When through dales and about mountains 
Midnight tempests howling blow, 

Sneaking on the tops of houses, 

Round the chimneys he-cats go. 

Like a ghost, there up in highness, 

Stands he glorious, grand and fair; 

Wild his eyes, are glowing fire. 
Fiery climbs his bristling hair. 

And he screams, in tones far sounding, 

His old, cruel battle-song; 
Like the thunder far off rolling. 

Utters he all night long. 

Mankind only hears him rarely, — 
Everyone sleeps in his house; 

But deep in the cellar's darkness. 

Hears him trembling mother mouse. 

Oh, she understands his wishes. 

And she quavers^ and she knows; 

In his angry wrath is fearful. 

The old he-cat, — always boss. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 75 

Mankind, very quick, is harshly 

Judging us, and does not know 
Our noble, tender heart strings; 

Dreadful is its kick and blow. 

Hark! if one comes home at midnight 

Tight, is tumbling in his room; 
And in mornings suffering head-ache. 

Calls he " cat-ache " his sad doom. 

" Cat-ache!" * Oh, this is insulting! 

We are singing calm and smooth ; 
But I often hear that mankind 

Uproaring, wild, noisy, crude. 

Yes, mankind is acting blindly; 

Oh, its heart is rough and crude ! 
Knows not our deep and heavy. 

Grave and dark heart-breaking mood. 



From the German " Katzen jammer. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 



HIRED OUT ! 



Hired out! What shivering word ! 

It sounds real frosty and cold. 
My love is dead, my hope has passed, 

Oh, everything looks old! 

Yes, everything looks gloomy and gray. 
And crapes do float in air. — 

I hired myself, my freedom is lost, 
In a cage I sit in despair. 

And heavy time and terrible harm 
Sunk over me, bearing me down; 

Must work now, earn my daily bread, 
And all my songs I must drown. 

What once me made free, happy, full glee. 
To sing like a lark in the sky. 

Is gone! is gone! will never return! 
Love, hope, and song passed by. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 77 



A PIECE OF BREAD. 



Oh, give the little child a piece, 
A piece of bread, rich man! 

Look in his eye, see how it glows 
So innocent and plain! 

Oh, speak not harshly to that child, 

Yet full of confidence; 
That destitute was put on earth 

By mother providence! 

The little heart will never forget 
What thou hast for it done; 

You may get poor, and time may come. 
When thou stand'st sick alone. 

If, then, the little one meets thee, 
It knows thee right away; 

Does everything to thy relief, — 
Give it some bread, I pray ! 



78 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

INFIRMITY. 



The leaves I saw oft turning pale, 

And after short spring falling; 
Have known a number, friends, now dead, 

Oft gleeful on me calling. 
Love's happy time is past, long gone. 

All merriment departed. 
Once was my love and hope so bright. 

When I in life was started. 

As if a merry feast has passed. 

The last partaker rises. 
From sleep at morn in gloomy hall, — 

The cups are turned, still phrases: — 
Now shows itself the world to me, 

It shows its wrinkled features. 
In shame and langour I do see 

Sad life's plain, lying pictures. 

But I turn up against my ache. 

And tell my heart vividly: 
Yes, be in shame, thou foolish heart ! 

From pain, too free, thee neatly! 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 79 

Thou didst know spring and lust were short, 

And that they end in sadness, 
Why now not throw'st thou from thee strong, 

Also this weakly madness? 

Thou wonder-stream, infirmity! 

Peril and mirth both giving! 
My luck is dead, and pains alive. 

But pains are soon, too, leaving. 
The world, my heart, is smoke and dust, 

A fraud to erring senses; 

It, like a dream in morning light. 

To nothing soon condenses. 



RESiaNATION. 



Hold still, my heart, if loss and care 

Thy life-blood have well chilled. 
When of all hopes to harm and ache, 

Not one has been fulfilled. 
And goes thy path from woods and fields, 

Into a land forsaken, 
In luck hast battled thou the world. 

In sorrow now awaken! 



80 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

Much joy of life thou tookest in, 

Therefrom comes thy deep sorrow, 
Hence do not dream of what long passed, 

Take care of young to-morrow! 
May flowers thou hast broken off. 

Which died short after breaking, 
Thy spring is gone, thy fall has come: 

Arise, be harvest making! 

And does thy frosty heart no more 

Believe in gains and blessing. 
Oh, never give up all thy hope. 

Go on, thyself redressing! 
Oh, only to thyself be true 

In misery and sadness; 
And fall, if once thou must be slain, 

A hero in full greatness ! 



Feabls of a Woman's Heart. 81 



WITH THEE ! 



The nights are noisy, but my soul yet sings: 

Thou art still mine; 
I have thee captured! 

And many things, which I repine, 

Are gone, — but thou art mine ! 

The tempests howl, — grave longing rests now still 
On thy warm breast. 

I found a home full love. 

Amongst sweet roses I there rest, 
In spite of storms, there I am blest! 

The days pass by, but trueness always stays. 

And still stands tide 
In mild reflection; 

And freed through thee from time and might, 

I see eternity and light! 



82 Pearls of a Womais^'s Heart. 

DENIAL. 



Now, every clay which I have lived, 

Bad luck destroyed a hope, a wish; 
My suul, which once did jo3^ous beat. 

Is now a disharmonious tool. 
But even being in distress, 

That in my forehead furrows ploughed, 
I look to-day back like a man. 

Ring out, my heart, be further proud. 

'T was not the land of Hottentots 

Where I was born and careful raised; 
But duller than that savage tribe 

Did treat me my old fatherland. 
And even being thus ill treated, 

My heart loves dearly its old home; 
Will give for it, oh, all its gains, 

Rings out: To thee I will be true! 

Immortal name, much have I thought 
Of tliee^ — much time I spent for thee; 

I gave my young life for a shade, 

Which I, too late, found out a naught. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 83 

But whom once the Almighty gave 

The wings of song to soar on high, 
Is laughing at a little praise, 

Rings out; Enough am I to me! 

And loye, which slyly took my heart, 

Immeasureable in its strength, 
Defrauded me of peace and mirth, 

Oh, of the prettiest part of life! 
But knowledge did it give my soul, 

A look into the human heart; 
I have that fruit, the bloom can part, 

Ring out: I am enough to me! 

Where is the luck? I never saw 

Tt in my life, nor wooed I for 
That easy wisdom, that content 

In quietness with golden things. 
It hangs on dust; but I have wings. 

It likes the moment's praise, — I aim 
To soar to Grod, the author's king. 

Ring out: I am enough to me! 



84 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

Again I greet thee, loneliness, 

Thou dids't me raise for strength and health; 
Did'st give me that grand love to God! 

To thee alone I leave my all! 
My memory I throw away 

Of things that only cut deep wounds, 
I carry in my soul my world. 

Ring out : 1 am enough to me ! 



THE STAR. 



Thou star, that rises in the east 

So lonely, far from other stars departed, 

What travel'st thou for? without rest, 

All over seas and lands, alone, downhearted? 

Thy rays sink trembling into waves^ 

Are through the gloomy fogs and dim mists falling, 
Like rays from eyes in tears on graves. 

All round, for lovely ones are calling. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 85 

When night comes, sad thee my eye greets, 

My feet, then tired, from the work are walking; 

When morning dawns my soul thee meets. 
In prayers to the Lord thanks talking. 

As' thou am I — thou in the sky ! — 
I on this earth apart, and lonely gliding. 
Thou pilgrim's guide, for rest we cry. 
Two travelers over land and sea still sliding. 



BE WITH THYSELF. 



Let slide thy tears 
In thine own house, 

Keep still away 

From world's applause! 

In vain hunts peace 
Thy soul outside; 

The world does laugh. 
Cold and polite. 



86 Peabls of a Woman's Heart. 

May lands and seas 
Thine eyes behold; 

Thine empty breast 
Soothes not the gold. 

Fly through all zones, 
' Through mount and field; 

They yellow lea,ves 
And dried fruits yield. 



TIME CHANGES ALL. 



Into my sister's house, aft long ten years 

Of traveling, stepped I, and perceived therein 

Some noise of happy, unknown playing children. 

And see! there in a room, where evening glow 

Through vineleaves shining golden, dropped in. 

Was happily engaged the noble flock 

In playing all sorts games. See, seven in full number. 

Those blonde heads danced swiftly to and fro 

And mingled, and their cheeks were glowing 

Like rosebuds fresh and lovely. 



Pearls of a Woman^s Heart. 87 

Not one, when I had left for strife, was born. 

To strive through all the world and various nations; 

Not even did I know their calling names. 

Therefore, admiring me, they stretched their eyes, 

And all the happy play at once had ceased. 

The oldest one approached me foremost slowly, 

And asked me with her mother's voice: " Who are you? " 

But here the sister came, sank in my arms. 

Now gladness was all round. The sister showing me 

Her children, the noblest treasure of the lucky house. 

Which multiplied so much since I was gone. 

Again then showed the children their dear uncle. 

And gayety prevailed in every heart. 

The boys were climing upon me with strength; 

The girls drew do^n my head to kiss me hearty; 

The youngest one, afraid a moment back of my long beard, 

Put round my neck its little slender arms. 

How happy did I feel, embraced by all these flowers. 

Surrounded wholly by new driving life, 

Which, like a swarm of bees hung on to me. 

To hear, to learn, they asked me thousand questions. 



88 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

The same time went through me a tide of torment. 

Then all those questions put to me so freely, 

Those kisses minded me:— so many steps 

Into the life they made, oh, just so many 

Did nearer you approach to death and grave. 

And rising daily, grows in these young children 

The future generation soon to come. 

To laugh^ be joyous! — sorrowful, to cry! 

And blessing them, I laid my hands on them. 

And spoke in reverence these holy words: — 

I greet you heartily^ you dear messengers of death ; 

I greet and thank you, while so kindly you, 

The first time, brought to me such solemn messages. 

But you, grow on! and if I once am dead. 
Perfect with all your brethren; what myself, 
My generation left in imperfection. 



GUIDING STAR. 



When T thee left so beautiful and bright, 
When gloomy time me made depart from thee; 
My body, born from dust, well went. 
But all my soul is yet with thee alone. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 89 

My tliouglits, my guess, oh, all my cogitations, 
Are still with thee, in spite of strong obstacles; 
Yes, even dream is now my kindly slave, 
It brings thy lightness in the holy night. 

I am with thee by day, and comes the night. 
And slumber lies upon my eyes so tired ; — 
Thou art the candle, always shining clear 
Into my soul, and peace therein me giving. 

Thou art, the same time, muse for me and song, 
A crystal star in all my undertakings; 
Air of my life ! Oh, woe ! not know'st thou this, 
And even, I believe, thou never thought'st of it. 



PERSEVERANCE. 

Drop all lingering, all consolation, 
Walk in force renewed along; 

Make your prudent calculation. 
Onward, forward, be your son^ 



90 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

There be never resignation ! 

Not by roses be deceived! 
When from ocean's tribulation 

Sirens sing, — turn off relieved. 

Onward, forward ! — meditation 
Be your motto, your password; 

Until sweat, by inundation, 

Wets thy brow, thy mental cord ! 

Till thou, with glorification, 

Carriest round thy head a crown ! 

Prostrate, with stern consternation, 
All thy adversaries down ! 

Onward, forward! — leave contagion. 
Do not even fear old Death! 

Make thy punctual preparation. 
Never troubles so regret. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 91 



ON HIGH SEA! 



An invisible monster 
Howled from the northern sea; 
The foams and waves were flying 
In dances wild, astray. 
The smoke arose in circles, 
Was blown away with might; 
The steamer, loudly cracking. 
Laid half-way on one side. 

Pale terror took possession, 

Clamors were all kinds heard; 

But I stood on the main mast 

Against the storm alert. 

Life will not, then I reckoned. 

My solvent I yet spare. 

As long as I am owing 

So many pounds right square! 



92 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

TO HER ! 



If niglits thou goest to bed to sleep, 

To rest upon thy pillow, 
Thy sparkling eyes some dew-pearls weep. 

Thy heart bends like a willow. 
From sorrow and from longing grave^ 
May be thy consolation, 
It is love's destination, 
To last beyond the grave ! 

When nights thy rosy fingers rest 

Upon thy forehead burning. 
They form thy hair into a nest 
By bending and by turning. 
And when thy head gets gray and white, 
Shall be thy consolation, 
It is love's destination, 
Through death to rise up bright! 

And when thy heart once ceases to beat, 
Thy tongue is no more speaking. 

Rest easy, child, then will I greet, 
Thy soul so long in seeking! 



Pearls of a Woman^s Heart. 93 

Then all our sorrow will be gone, 

It is love's destination, 

And our consolation, 
That it shall shine before God's throne! 

This earthly time is only short, 

Let it be wild and stormy. 
We soon will reach a calm seaport, 

Above this dust so wormy. 
Then our blessing shall be great, 
It is love's destination, 
And our consolation, 
To happiness shall come the sad! 



WITH THE ANGELS. 



Sweet singer, lark, sing in my soul 
Once more the dream of May, 

When she was comfort and console 
For me so many a day. 

When I so gently pressed her arm 

On to her heart so true; 
When thousand times she kissed warm, 

She kissed and kissed anew. 



94 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

When in the silvery, pale moonlight, 

We walked arm in arm, 
Relieved, by talking low and light. 

The hearts of burdening harm. 

When all the world was bliss around. 
Twice beautiful the rose; 

Perfume the air, music the sound, 
And doubly green the moss. 

Sweet singer, lark, oh, she is gone, 
And will return no more. 

Thy song is pain, and harsh thy tone. 
And, oh, my heart, how sore. 



A MEMORY. 



It was in winter time, 't was cold, 

A melancholy day^ 
The snow fell down just as of old. 

So lively and so gay. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 95 

The children played and danced around, 

Welcomed the crystal snow, 
Which reached, lily-white, the ground, 

By weaving to and fro. 

I rested near the window paue^ 
My heart in gloom was sad, 

I thought of old misfortune's strain^ 

Thought back when once a lad. 

What hopes had faded? what had I? 

Once as a child like those. 
Was happy as a butterfly, — 

Time struck blows after blows! 

Oh, she is gone, and all is gone, 

No wealth, no honor left, 
No glory, home! oh, all alone. 

Of everything bereft. 

Did not m}^ soul believe in Grod, 

Was not my will a rock, 
I could not longer bear this lot, 

That health and hope long broke. 



96 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

Oh, cliildren, I will pray for you, 
Misfortune surely comes, 

That always stay with you, a clue. 
To guide you in life's glooms. 



DROSS. 



What is the silver, what the gold? 

An idle lot to bear; 
That causes troubles manifold, — 

In many an eye a tear! 

To-day is gold and gold the word. 
Truth, virtue, shame, and bright 

Young men have drowned overboard. 
And wisdom is no light! 

Grod give us men, as Holland says. 

Men honorable, true; 
They walk before the world their ways. 

Avoid the dirty slough ! 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 97 

God give us patriotic men, 

Give men that do not lie! 
Oh, give in facto, gentlemen, 

Not wily men or sly! 

Not office-seekers for the w^ealth. 

This nohle country craves! 
Not cowards, broken down in health. 

Not slanderers and knaves. 

Curse on the silver and the gold, 

The idle lot to bear, 
That causes troubles manifold. 

In many an eye a tear. 



PENETRATION. 



From heaven should descend an angel. 
So holy and so grand as God, 

To see into each nation's dealings. 
Again to weigh each human plot: 

How would you, man high in religion. 

Pass by the spirit's piercing eye? 

7 



98 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

What would you say, you politicians, 

In oratory's art so sly? 
What would become of all the secret 

Organizations round the globe? 
How would appear the communistic, 

The merciless and bloody robe ? 
Would not thy tongue be paralyzed. 

Thou ever ready slanderous wife? 
You merchants, manufacturing princes, 

How small would be your worldly strife? 
How, kings and queens, and other rulers, 

Could you defend your sullen life ? 
How would, at last, each being's notion 

As nothing quickly under dive? 
Did Grod not tell thee love thy neighbor. 

As thou dost love thy little I? 
That in this few of words the grandness. 

All universal wisdom lay? 
Six thousand years ago he told you 

This grandest truth. You ask to-day: 
How will we solve the social questions? 

And I, a childlike wife, will say: 
*' Do educate and love thy neighbor. 

And thy surroundings will look gay.'^ 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 99 

WATCHFULNESS. 



I planted once a little rose tree, 
And put it at my window-front, 

I watched it day and night there closely, 
Procured for it every want. 

The lovely sun, the fountain-water, 
The pure and all-refreshing air. 

Produced on the little rose tree 
A pair of blossoms sweet and fair. 

They loved each other dearly, kindly, 
And kissed each other in the wind; 

They shone as pure as heaven's glowing. 
Like balsam was their mellow scent. 

One morning I was ill-disposed, 

And could not watch them as I should. 

There came a sparrow rough and heartless. 
And picked them merciless as food. 

mother, mother! watch thy children! 

The air is full of enemies. 
The purer^ softer they are blooming. 

The more thy constant eye they miss ! 



100 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 



LOVE. 



Blossoms hunt their hills and valleys, 

Grow not everywhere; 
Dust too dry, and ground too watery, 

Ruins their welfare. 

Once, perchance, I was presented 

With a rosebud red. 
Evenings I left it blooming. 

Mornings found it dead. 

Love, was called my tender blossom, 

Tears I wet it with. 
Grave mistakes are made too often 

In the cares of it. 



UNITED. 



I stood upon a mountain high. 
Before me ocean's sprays. 

Above me heaven's glorious sky. 
All round me sunny rays. 

Still was the world. A holy sound 
My soul did only hear: 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart, 101 

It did not sound from lowly ground, 

Came from a heavenly sphere. 
It was a most majestic song^ 

The thundering voice of God. 
Grod's harmony was in its throng — 

I kneeled now to that spot. 

I prayed! My heart was freed from pain, 

From sorrow, care, and dust, 
Ambition, strife — all that is vain — 

From every earthly lust. 

I prayed! And oh, what glorious lights 

Came to my eyes from far! 
What brilliant shines, what glowing brights, 

Now broke from star to star! 
Without an end was majesty, 

Was power, highness, bliss; 
Unbounded freedom; love, how great; 

Forgiveness; blessedness; 
And in that storm of holiness. 

Of harmony and might, 
Of perfect childlike loveliness — 

Shone God in all its bright! 



102 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

A little, rosy angel soon 
Appeared and smiled at me, 

Conducted me to Lord God's throne. 
That angel once was she. 

And all this holy, glorious sight 
Was nothing else but death : 

Was union with my long-gone bride, 
So death is no regret. 



DOWNFALL. 



An eagle flew from Austria 

Into old Mexico, 
To make his homage, crown himself, 

Soon he turned out a crow. 

When he was eagle, once he sung: 

" I would not like to die 
In valleys damp, on foggy ground, 
Where laughs no sunny sky. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 103 

" When death comes I would like to die 

Upon a mountain high, 
When sun declines in golden light, 

This light within my eye." 

He sang this song while yet at home, 

An eagle bright in might, 
Not thinking that a wrongside move 

Subverts the light in height. 

That eagle flew from Austria 

Into old Mexico, 
And lost his crown, and died in fog, 

A brave and noble crow. 

Do never steal the lofty flag 

From nations free in glow. 
If so, thou once an eagle proud, 

Come'st to thy death a crow. 



104 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 



NO MORE. 



How proud and manly was his walk ! 

How nobly from his heart 
Flowed in my soul his modest talk, 

Free from deceit and art. 

How happy was 1 oft to hear 
How he his country praised! 

Now, cold and lonely lays he there. 
Till all the dead are raised. 

Oh, man}'- a time his grave I see, 
Plant flowers in the spring. 

And sing a song with humming bee, 
Oh, grave and sad I sing. 



FATE. 



Too much was I once blessed, 
Therefore came quick the end; 

Too nobly once caressed: 
Now pale and poor I stand. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart, 105 

The frost long killed the flowers, 

Brown clover, violet; 
My love has killed the showers, 

Oh, how I this regret. 

But love cannot be chased 

By any huntersman; 
And I, sorrow-amazed, 

Will bear all like a man. 



AFFECTION. 



A many of things that pleases, 

A many of things that glads: 
The month of May, its breezes, 

In mid-day sun the shades. 
Though one thing gives more pleasure. 

Is more than every one sweet. 
That is true love's dear treasure, 

Right wisely kept secret. 

By true love also met. 



106 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

Whom God has ever given 

Such luck, such paradise, 
He walks in tempests even. 

His lot is happy twice. 
May misery and sadness, 

Misfortue, every ill, 
Try to subvert his gladness. 

He 's always blessed still. 
Love never leaves despairing. 

Love is a rock, a fort: 
It suffers not through wearing. 
It is all evil bearing. 
Impediments down tearing — 

It is a balmy port. 
Love is in darkness shining. 
The cannibal refining. 
The tyrant undermining, — 

Love is, in short, God's word! 

But you in vain are hunting 
Love in the whirlblast throng; 

Then love is not abounding 
Where rambles sin and wrong. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 107 

It 's wonder, grace,- is blessing. 

And comes like morning dew; 
You will reach it through caressing, 

Caressing mostly true. 
Love comes like night — not harshly — 

Like moonlight on the wing. 
Meekness imbibes it largely — 

On earth the noblest thing. 

With it appears a trembling, 

A hidden, holy dream, 
A joy to fear resembling, 

An under-burning flame. 
The first kiss, when returned. 

Which heart and soul had burned, 
Creates new light and life: 

All fear is gone, and trembling, 

- Two souls are now assembling. 
Prepared for man and wife. 
To speed their way with strife. 

The grandest motion God imparted 

On earth into a human heart. 
Is, when once get that kindness started, 

That buries selfishness so hard. 



108 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

If once the soul in love is glowing, 
It gives for nothing to receive; 

It is with mildness overflowing, 
It yields without withhold or grief. 

The more it grants the happier beats it, 

And in return, with joy, tears greet it — 
It gives its heart within its breast. 

To tears she shedding, he is crying. 

With her's united is his smile; 
His very thought, his dream, his trying. 

Is with hers mingled all the while. 
They are two rosevines firmly clinging, 

On to each other roses bringing — 
Rich roses white, rich roses red. 

And not one eye can tell you clearly 
Which branch in that love-dwelling net, 

That clings together ever nearly. 
Created white, created red. 

Oh, does this not thy heart make glad? 



Pearls of a Woman^s Heart. 109 



THE STARS. 



Are they stars, tell, godly lambs. 

Which still Night, as shepherd feeds, 

After Mother Sun went down, 
On bine heaven's silent sheets? 

Or, are they lilies pure. 

Which their silvery face unveil. 
Over all the fatigued world, 

To disperse the slumbering gale? 

Or, are they candles bright. 

Which on Lord God's altar shine. 

When the glorious dome of worlds 
Gets shut up in darkness' shrine ? 

No! they are the letters clear. 
Which an angel takes to set 

Into heaven's holy sky, 

Thousand love songs golden spread. 



110 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

LIGHT. 



My heart is like the darkest night, 
While tempests blow through trees. 

The moon appears in silvery light 

Through clouds so bright : 

Oh, see ! the woods are all in merry glees ! 

The moon thou art, the silvery moon! 

Out of thy heart full love, 
Let one beam, one look, be done. 
Oh, one alone! 

And see, my heart appears a sunny grove. 



FORGOTTEN. 



0, could I die like silvery swan. 

Which slowly swimming with its wings^ 
Moves on blue waters, diving on. 

Until his last soft song he sings. 

And did he die, when evening near, 
The golden sun is kissing hills: 

The echo with his songs so clear 

Through all the night yet valleys fill. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. Ill 

Oh, could I have siicli pleasing luck, 

Could die amongst such holy songs. 
That sounds an echo from the rock 

Back to the hearts of busy throngs. 

Oh, only better ones than I, 

Few poets reach such noble height! 
I will not, when I lonely die. 

Intrust to nation's strains delight. 

Not noticed must I die — unknown ; 

Few only will me set to rest. 
And when the burial day has gone, 

I will not be with memory blest. 



EVENING. 



The moon is ghostly rising, 
And shows its silvery face, 

It is the world enticing 
To sleep in lovely grace. 



112 Pearls of a Woman's Heabt. 

The tree-tops sound melodious, 
The wells are making song, 

And angels swing commodious 
Betwixt the stars along. 

And through the air are dancing. 
Out of the lovesick hearts, 

Are thousand hearts entrancing. 
Love-thoughts in other parts. 

And not far off are shining. 
The candles of darling's room ; 

But I am in sorrow pining, 
In sullenness and gloom. 



FRIENDSHIP. 



Two sisters — angels — dost thou know? 

Descended pure from Heaven's dome: 
The blessing, friendship, white as snow, 

Awakening love, a rosy bloom. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 113 

Love is impetuous, grand and hot. 

Is fair as May, strives on to drive; 
Friendship is blonde, is true as God, 

Is like in summer night the life. 

Love is a turbulent, foamy sea. 

Where waves on waves move manifold; 

Friendship a clear, blue lake in glee. 

Where stars reflect their glimmering gold. 

Love strikes like fiery lightning bright; 

Friendship is moonshine, mild and bland; 
Love wants possession far and wide; 

Friendship yields quickly a helping hand. 

But twice is blessed the human heart 

That firmly owns friendship and love; 
Where lily and red rose impart 

Their roots as in a sunny grove. 



114 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 



FADING. 



See how still on mother's bosom 

Rests the blossom! 
Dreaming yet, it does not know 

A mother's blow. 
On forehead, lips and cheeks, 
llready melted, 

Freshness and glow. 
But yet it smiles, 
And sweetly beguiles. 
Oh, softly it smiles — 

Softly 
Is kissing death! 



RUSTIC. 



The dust is dry, the sun is hot, 
I am exhausted from the walk. 

There is a pretty, shady spot, 

Near by a house, there let us talk. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 115 

How are you^ handsome country maid? 

You see that I am worn out, 
Bring me a glass into this shade, 

Of your best wine. You will, no doubt. 

Thy health, thy health, my pleasing child ! 

Thy cheeks are beautiful and red. 
Thine eyes are large and blue and mild: 

Make all my heart joyfully glad. 

Thy wine is sweet, thy wine is clear; 

But if thy rosy lips I see. 
Does it to me, oh, girl, appear, 

A kiss is sweeter yet from thee! 

Thou say'st not no; thou say'st not yes; 

Therefore I will be somewhat bold, — 
Here is it — give it back to bless — . 

But thy sweet lips, I see, withhold. 

About a noble man, or maid, 

Should meet they ever anywhere, 

And kiss each other once and fair. 
Should nothing villified be said. 



116 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 



DEATH. 



The swiftest horseman, friend, is death, 
He overtakes the moring red, 

The thunderstorm's quick striking. 
His horse is lean, and without check, 
His arrow darts, a heart will break. 

He knows not any liking. 

Through village, valleys, riverflow. 
In morning red and evening glow. 

His stormy chase is going. 
Wherever short he makes a home. 
There tolls the bell sadness from dome^ 

The dirge of grave is wooing. 

The crystal palace enters he, 

And snow-white turns the proud and free, 

Forgets the wine, the treasure. 
He steps up to the nuptial feast. 
And sets the lustres cold to rest. 

Pale drops the pride from pleasure. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 117 

He looks into the judge's eye, 
Who just had laid a sentence by, 

His hands are slowly sinking. 
The maid that forms a flowery crown, 
Woe ! all at once is drooping down — 

It 's done with one slight winking. 

Oh! mankind, therefore be not proud, 
Nothing of thee is death too stout. 

Thy dust is scattered quickly ! 
The sand runs swift, the bell will toll 
Before an hour will over roll, 

May'st thou be dying sickly. 



FALSE. 



It was not in Rumelin, 

And also not in Greece, 

Where once a noble country girl 
Did capture all my peace. 

" Oh, mother,'' said I, ''fix thy house. 
Thy garden, everything, 

I'm going to marry thy dear child, 
Here is the wedding ring!" 



118 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

I kissed the daughter, who drew near, 

Upon her rosy lip; 
Believe, I had to wash mine off, 

Three days on my offskip. 

Three rivers did it take to wash 
Off all that rosy paint. 

The rivers even colored 

With it the ocean faint. 



STRANGE. 



I know not how it happens. 
That what I ever sing, 

A strain of love must always 
Within my song I sing. 

That I have not forgotten 
The paradise of love. 

Though long ago imposture 
Out of this spot me drove. 



Peabls of a Woman's Heart. 119 

Tt is, — love took so lioly 

Once hold of all my heart; 
I was so sweetly dreaming 

Until it broke apart. 



CAST OUT. 



I wandered long through mount and dale, 
And wandered many a mile; 

And now I wish by marching pale^ 
To rest a little while. 

Wherever I knock at the door. 

Pray for a resting spot. 
There says a harsh voice: on this shore 

Is want for poets not. 

Here is no office or charge 

In which we can thee set, 
Swiftly go along, and march and march, 

Till thee to rest put death. 



120 Pearls of a WoiVan's Heart. 

And if the world needs songs no more, 

I cannot do without; 
They, like the stars on heaven's shore, 

Keep^ banish darkness out. 

They are the heaven, are the air. 
Wherein my whole I dwells. 

They are the rosy halm so fair, 
Whereon my spirit swells. 

They are my spring, when far and wide 
Dead leaves are dropping down; 

They are in winter's frosty tide, 
My nightingale and clown. 

rCame, without songs, the May once more, 

Came love without a lay, 
Brought thousand blessings as before, 

I would feel cold and gray. 

And should I once have no more sons. 
Then put me in my grave. 

And keep me there so long, so long, 
Until T new it have. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 121 



IMAGINATION. 



The poet sits high upon a rock, 

Amongst the clouds and mount, 

Far down to the lands and seas goes his look, 
His eye views the world aH round. 

And for his songs so near and so far. 
He chooses on beauty the best, 

With all its treasures so sweBt and so rare, 
Is serving the east and the west. 

He makes on golden wells to appear 
Arabia's balms with their lays; 

Makes, under America's pine tops, rear 
The lilies in wintry days. 

He winks, and the roses are all in a glow, 
In velvets and silks are the pinks, 

The moon looks down in the summer on snow, 
And angels are lifting their wings. 



122 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

He goes deeply clown in the gloomy shafts, 

Goes over the ocean's waves, 
The rarest most beautiful rubies he drafts, 

And reaches the pearls in their graves. 

He gives to the swans the songs and the word, 
The nightingale makes he to sing; 

And in his poems of every sort. 

Is morning and evening's red wing. 

He makes all the oceans, boundless and wide. 

In his songs like the lion to roar. 
The sun and the moon and the stars in their height, 

He calls to earth's miserly shore. 

And everything on earth does as he says, 
And wishes to greet him as king. 

But he lays all his treasures and rays. 
To his darling's feet round in a ring. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 123 

POWER. 



Sun on mid-day slowly bends, 

Down falls evening's glow, 
Love, as golden ladder stands. 

Whereon souls to lieaven go. 

If it holds the young man's heart, 
Drawing him on to her breast; 

If it is a mother's part, 

Singing her dear child to rest; 

If it is a friend that yields 

To a friend a gentle arm; 
If it is scattered over fields, 

Spent by men through wisdom warm; 

If it takes the warrior back. 
When he dies, into his home; 

If it searches lost on track. 
Lets in dreams die in a room. 

Sun on mid-day slowly bends, 

Down falls evening glow. 
Love, as golden ladder stands. 

Whereon souls to heaven go. 



124 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

DEWS. 



It stood, a violet banquet, near my bed. 
That carried me into a brilliant dream. 

I laid upon a sunny bill in moss, 

All round me were blue violets blooming. 

So many never grew on one small spot. 

Therefore I spoke: Here passed my darling by, 
And violets raised wherever went her eye. 



SPRING. 



The strongest hero, — that is spring, 

A horseman wild and grand. 
The red rose round a crystal spring: 
. Its staff and banner stand. 

The golden sunbeams are his sword. 
And bold and without rest. 

He swings it until winter's sport 
Has disappeared at last. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 125 

And now in great trmmph and sound, 

He drives through land and sea; 
As herald, nightingale is bound, 

Loud in advance brings glee. 

Around is merry every heart, 

And open every port; 
No steel or iron bears so hard, 

To stop its pleasing sport. 

No human soul can long resist 

To kneel before his queen, 
Which love presents, — not one tourist 

Can cold refuse such gain. 



GOD AMOR IS LIKE MONTH APRIL. 



Soon frost, soon golden sunshines. 

Soon blossoms in dales and heartshrines, 

Soon turbulent, soon still. 

Soon secret, violent tears. 

Soon rains, and clouds, and tears, 

Eternal doubtance, hesitation. 

And never cautious deliberation. 



126 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 



ATTRACTION. 



I am the rose on sunny ground, 
That exhales balm in glow; 

Thou love, thou art the dew all round, 
Which makes the roses grow. 

I am a firm, dark, costly stone 

Selected from the shaft; 
Thou art the sun that gives it tone, 

And forms its brilliant craft. 

I am the cup so crystal clear, 
Whereout the king drinks wine; 

Thou art its sweetness, love, so dear, 
Its purple color shine. 

I am the black cloud in the sky. 
Look angry from there down; 

Thou art the rainbow passing by, 
That forms its lustrous crown. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 127 

I am the Memnon dead and dark 

In desert's wilderness; 
Thou art the sound and morning spark 

That creates joy and bliss. 

/ am a man that passed through yniich 

Of erro}\ sorrou\ pain; 
Thou art an angel^ and as such 

I thank thee every gain. 



DARKNESS. 



Out of a mass of clouds, that bursted 
The golden moon out his blue ray, 

Was shining down on mounts, where hursted 
The eagles o'er their glorious sway. 

Against a mossy tower I rested, 
And towards heaven set my face; 

Would like to hear, and was interested, 
What narrative could tell its grace. 



128 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

It spoke of millions eyes and maiden, 
In his marvelous, wond'rous son^, 

Of lips with kisses bravely laden, 
Which it could see the dales along. 

About my child it had commenced, 
The only one — the blonde and far — 

Oh, woe! the clouds at once condensed, 
And gone were moon, and song, and star! 



ONCE MORE! 



At last I press thee to my heart. 

At last my arms thee hold. 
At last we are no more apart: 

Far more is mine than gold! 

Oh. all v/hat luck can give to man. 

Innumerably call I mine. 
Yes, thou art mine! You all know then, 

That I am thine, for ever thine! 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 129 

And would now sink the earth in night, 

Conld I see dothing only thee, 
Thy eyes would give enough of light, 

Blue heaven would I always see! 



MELODIES. 



The nightingale, as love, did sit 
In a rosy brush, and sang, 

Its sounds, melodious and glad, 
Through hills and woods joy rang. 

And as it sang arose all round 
From lips of blooms sweet scent. 

And every tree to sing was bound. 
The air stood still silent. 

The musing rivers ceased to ring. 
That shortly rushed from mounts. 

The deer stood still, and everything 
VYas listening to those sounds. 



9 



130 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

And high and higher shone the sun, 
Its beams so golden bright, 

Laid round the flowers, woods, and stones, 
A crown of pretty sight. 

Then I was coming just along, 
Those holy sounds did hear^ 

And since that time is every song 
From me an echo fair. 



TRANQUIL. 



Oh, once I laid in ache and pain, 
I day and night shed tears; 

And now I am in gloom again, 
Of luck too much appears. 

It seems to me my breast is filled 
With heavenly kingdom's light; 

Oh, grandest luck, ache deeply chilled, 
How similar is your sight. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heabt. 131 



SAD THOUGHTS. 



When, amongst the bloom and roses, 

Smoothly goes the path of life. 
When thou walk'st on fragrant mosses. 
Then, oh soul, approaches strife. 

Lust and peace were mine so placid. 
Darling's look and darling's kiss; 

Did not think, then bland and tacid. 
That I would all this soon miss. 

Oh, how looks now cold and nightly 
Down. on me the world so great. 

Since I torn from thee so widely. 
Circumstances, luck so bad. 

Younger I could bear it better. 
Bear this traveling without light; 

Blind then, did not mind the weather. 
Did not know a sun's delight. 



132 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

But since older, from thee torn, 
Is to me left nothing more — 

Child, my soul is sick and worn. 
And my breast is deadly sore. 



SUNSET. 



Sunk evening down with his last flames 

Into the ocean. 
Seems all the world to be in dreams: 

Then, child, let us walk on. 

We see the moon through clouds arise, 
We hear the nightingale, 

We breathe the odors sweet and nice, 
We have to tell no tale. 

The grandest luck has none to say, 
Love's lust is still and mild: 

A kiss, an eye-wink, is its lay, 

Swift all the desires are filled. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. ' 133 

PLEASURES. 



Grolden bridges be 

My songs to thee. 

Whereon love goes, 
My cbild, to tbee. 

Dream's golden wing, 
In pain all sort, 

Every night me bring 
To thee, my port. 



NIGHT. 



Thank Grod, the noisy day is gone, 
With all its works and pressures, 

Sweet peace and harmony will soon 
Call in as twilight's pleasures. 

The day is placid, and the field, 
The woods awake from di^eaming. 

And Mother Xight will willing yield 
To us her new proclaiming. 



134 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

And what I would not tell thee, dear, 
In day's confounded stirring, 

That let me tell thee now; come near, 
Nohodj shall be hearing. 



HEAVENLY GUARD. 



The eve-twilight is coming, 

The moon as shepherd guards, 
To cloud-lambs, with him roaming. 

He sings his song and start. 
And as he sings so greeting, 
Falls from the stars above, 
This hymn with his own greeting: 
Sleep sweetly all. 
Around earth's ball! 
God's love is with you true. 
For ever new. 



Pearls of a Woman^s Heart. 135 

In brancKes are kind wooing, 

The birds not far from nest, 
The blooms and stems are bowing 

Their faces down to rest. 
And even rills and rivers 

Now moderate their Avaves, 
The leaf through still night quivers: 
Sleep soundly all 
Around earth's ball; 
God's love is over you, 
For ever true. 

From door to door is going 

The dream, a greeted host. 
The harp is no more flowing 

In houses rich of trust. 
The shepherds in high mountains. 

Lay round the fires as guards. 
The tollmen near the fountains: 
Sleep sweetly all 
Around earth's ball; 
God's love dwells over you. 
For ever true. 



136 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

And soon as all the tapers 

Extinguish through the night, 
In every heart the vapors 

Of pain are clearing bright. 
The treetops then say, chanting. 

Their sweet forgetfulness, 
To very few yet wanting: 
Sleep sweetly all 
Around earth's ball; 
Grod's love dwells over you. 
For ever true. 

And where a soul is sighing 

In love and in distress. 
And where a heart is crying 

In poverty for dress. 
The dream comes slowly creeping, 

And sings to wanting poor, 
Its hymn so richly heaping: 
Sleep sweetly all 
Around earth's ball; 
God's love dwells over you, 
For ever new. 



Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 137 

Good night to all who are weary, 

To friends so near as far, 
May God in peace you carry 

Till shines the morning-star! 
The nightingale is singing 

Alone now through the night. 
To heaven its hymns are ringing: 
Sleep sweetly all 
Around earth's ball; 
God's love dwells over you, 
For ever new! 



THE WOOD NYMPH. 

There in the woods, deep in the woods, 

Stands Woyowodan's hut, 
All round the shanty ice-crystals 

Hang down, a heavy load. 

His daughter near the hearthstone weaves 

Her silky wedding veil; 
Up through the chimney howling blows 

An ominous stormy gale. 



138 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

A wood-witcli certain now appears, 
Suspicious is such guest: 
" Good evening, sweet goid-daugliter, mine, 
I bring thee song and rest.'' 

" What shall thy song, what shall thy rest? 

Soon will return my groom! 
Here hast thou bread, here hast thou beer, 

Take this and then go home !^' 

The old one says: " Hast long, long time, 
Thy groom returns no more. 

The woods are deep, the ways are wide, 
He^s gone to another shore ! " 

"Why tortur'st thou thee with my woe? 

My groom was always true! 
He pledged himself as he went off. 

To come when spring blooms new." 

The maiden spoke with ache at heart; 

The gale so ominous blew. 
The old one stayed, the old one sang 

Into the fire her note. 



Pearls of a Woman^s Heart. 139 

" And as I walked along the cliff, 
Three wolves at once appeared, 
They howled about a welcome pray. 
Their tongues were bloody red. 

" And as I reached the pine-wood fence. 
Three ravens I heard cry. 
They cried: Good luck to you three wolves, 
Well may this meal apply! 

" And as I came to an icy sea. 

There out of wounds flowed blood; 
Out of a wound from a young man's breast, 
All over the snow in a flood. 

" Spring roses sprang out of that snow. 
Now thou hast heard it all ! 
The ways are long, the woods are wide, 
Thy groom has come to fall." 

The song was finished, the old one gone. 

The hearth-stone fire out; 
The maiden sat without a word. 

And pale turned lips and mouth. 



140 Pearls of a Woman's Heart. 

Yet outside wilder blew tlie gale, 

The ravens louder cried. 
And three days after this was done, 

Woyowodan's daughter died. 



Table of Contents. 



Introduction of the Poems, . . 3 

A Dream, . . 5 

Off for Bimini, 7 

Is this Justice, 9 

The Masher, . . . ' . . 10 

Sentences, 11 

To my Native Country, .13 

On My Mother's Grave, , . . 15 

Work and Pray, .16 

After a Little While, 18 

The Dutchman's Song, . , 19 

How I Found My Spouse, 21 

Easter Morning, .......... 22 

The Present Time, 24 

The Poet, 25 

Home Sickness, 26 

Remember, Death is Coming, . . . . . . .29 

To the Poets, 31 

My Prayer, 34 

Sentences', 36 

The Ghost, 36 

Beauty and Sacrifice, 41 

A Portrait, 42 

A Promise, 43 

Hope, 44 

Happy Hour, 45 

God, Give Us One Strong Man, 46 



142 Contents. 

My Grave, 47 

Painfully 48 

The Maiden's Song, 50 

At the Mountain Sea, .51 

Hold Still, 53 

The Templar, 54 

The Hunter 59 

Hunter's Love, . . . . . . ■ . . . .60 

The Sunflower, . 62 

Maggie's Songs, 63 

Kesolution, 6Q 

Change, 67 

The Stork, 67 

Departure, .69 

Distinction, 70 

The Cat, 71 

The Cat, 72 

The Cat, 73 

Hired Out, . 76 

A Piece of Bread, . . . .77 

Infirmity • , . . 78 

Resignation, 79 

With Thee, 82 

Denial, . . . . , 82 

The Star, 84 

Be With Thyself, 85 

Time Changes All, ......... 86 

Guiding Star, 88 

Perseverance, . 89 

On High Sea, 91 

To Her, 92 

With the Angels, . . . . , 93 

A Memory, 94 

Dross, 96 

Penetration, , 97 



Contents. 143 

Watchfulness, . .99 

Love, 100 

United, 100 

Downfall, 103 

No More, 104 

Pate, ............. L04 

Affection, 105 

The Stars, 109 

Light, . . . . ' . .110 

Forgotten, 110 

Evening, . . . . . Ill 

Friendship, 112 

Fading, ' . .114 

Rustic, 114 

Death, 116 

False ... . . . 117 

Strange, 118 

Cast Out, 119 

Imagination, . . . . . . . . . . . 121 

Power, . . 123 

Dews, 124 

Spring, 124 

God Amor is Like Month April, .125 

Attraction, . 126 

Darkness, 127 

Once More, 128 

Melodies, . . . 129 

Tranquil, . 130 

Sad Thoughts, .131 

Sunset, 132 

Pleasures, . . . . . ... . . > .133 

i^ight, . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 

Heavenlj' Guard, . . 134 

The Wood Nymph, 137 



